Curriculum

The Master of Arts in Historic Preservation program at Goucher College allows students, in consultation with the director, to tailor an individual program of study within a diverse selection of course offerings. Students must take eight required courses that provide the foundation for the individual focus, as well as successfully complete a thesis. Students may select from eight elective courses or propose their own independent study course.

All entering students must take HP 601. Introduction to Historic Preservation in their first year.  While it is recommended that all required courses are completed before taking electives, it is not required. A total of 38 credits is required for graduation. Students must take at least one course per semester to remain in the program. A maximum of three courses per semester is allowed. Students have a maximum of five years to complete all program requirements.

Required Courses

HP 601. Introduction to Historic Preservation
Foerster, Wagner 4 credits/fall
Introduction to the history, theory and practice of historic preservation in the United States from the 19th century to present.

HP 610. American Architecture
Dreller, Gyure 3 credits/fall
Development of American buildings from the colonial period to the present with emphasis on construction materials and technologies that have shaped their appearance.

HP 611. Preservation Documentation
Bushong, Bradley 3 credits/spring
Documentation of the nation's cultural heritage, including research methods, preparation of narrative description and statement of significance, development of historic contexts, on-site investigations, and use of National Register of Historic Places guidance.

HP 612. Field Work
Bushong, Bradley 3 credits/fall
Execution of a major field project that must have a public use and audience. Students select a historic preservation project, with the advice and approval of faculty, and thoroughly document the building, structure, landscape, object, or site according to recognized historic preservation standards. Prerequisite: HP 611.

HP 613. Urban History
Meck 3 credits/spring
Development of the American city from colonial times to the present, with emphasis on political, social, and economic factors affecting urban and regional form and patterns.

HP 630. Perspectives in Preservation
Berg, Boasberg, Keune, Miller, Samford, Wilson Aden 3 credits/fall
Introduction to archeology, cultural landscapes, preservation law, public relations for preservation, international preservation and current topics in historic preservation.

HP 638. Thesis Proposal
Bradley, Gyure, Miller  2 credits/fall and spring
Proposal of the topic, content and focus of the thesis, including literature research and proposed committee members.

HP 641. Thesis
Bradley, Gyure, Miller  5 credits/fall and spring
The thesis is the culmination of the program of study and incorporates a stated hypothesis to examine a preservation issue germane to the student's interest. Students will also have the opportunity of selecting additional faculty for HP 641. Thesis with the approval of the thesis director. The thesis committee will examine the written thesis and hear an oral defense. Prerequisite: HP 638.Thesis Proposal.

Elective Courses

HP 620. Historic Preservation as Public Policy
Tiller 3 credits/spring
Consideration of historic preservation as public policy at the national, state and local levels, with attention to factors that contribute to creating and shaping policies and their administration.

HP 621. Organizational Development for Preservation Nonprofits
Hildreth 3 credits/spring
Theory and practice of leadership and management of nonprofit historic preservation and preservation-related organizations with examination of strategic planning; board, staff, and volunteer development; funding; advocacy, and public relations.

HP 622. Preservation Planning
Gordon 3 credits/spring
Exploration of preservation planning at the federal, state and local levels with emphasis on the relationship between documenting the historic environment and community planning and on development and the use of local planning techniques to further historic preservation.

HP 623. Preservation Economics
Smith  3 credits/fall
Exploration of the economics of preservation including the impact of preservation programs and activities on a national, state and local level and the feasibility of individual preservation projects.

HP 628. Independent Study
Wagner 3 credits/fall and spring
Students develop the topic and focus of their own course in any area of historic preservation with the assistance of the program director. The faculty member is drawn from experts in the area selected. The course syllabus is written by the student during the semester prior to the one in which HP 628. Independent Study is taken.

HP 634. Preservation Technology
Green, Miller 4 credits/fall
The properties of building materials, the mechanism of deterioration and diagnostic methods, including examining and evaluating historic fabric, sustainability issues, and the whole building's performance as a system is emphasized as the basis for recommendation of appropriate conservation or restoration treatments.